Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-11-24

SHALL I DO IT.
"What fool you arc ~ was the polite
ejaculation Of Mr.. Richard Oxford, as they
entered the carriage and were driven away,
the most Internal ass | ever sawr'
"i'oErqaOi Z" coolly responded Fairfax.
"PoHrqaoiln repeated Dick, in angry aston
ishmenL "Because the finest girl In all Eu-
rope, not even excepting the Princcss-a and
admit she's hard 10 beat-to-night showed
more interest in you than she was ever
known to show In any man before; and she's
seen every body from tho biggest lord down
10 the smallest baronet. Scores Of splendid
fellows have been completely gone over her,
and only too ready 10 treat the faintest smile
as a sign of hope. Why you cOnsurnmatc
diotl she waltzed with you, talked with you,
watched you like lynx all the time, and,
what Is more, held out her hand 10 yon when
she said Good night and it's deuccd sell
dom she ever takes the trouble even to say
Goodnight do you hear that, you deaf
and blind doltl-hcld out her pretty hand in
her most fascinating manner, and gave you
look thar might have melted any thing but
a senseless blockhead; she said she was
glad 10 meet YOU, and actually asked you 10
call upon horl Heavens you, an humble,
unheard-Of teacher in that low, plebeian
America, to call upon one Of our nobilityl
And you stood by, like a cold block Of mar
BILE, and simply nodded that deviish sorrow
smitton head Of yours I'm utterly pros
tratedi This Is too much for men
Dick, after this tremendous burst OF ora
tory, the peroration of which was delivered
In tho most tragic manner and hair-lifting
tones, entirely collapsed and sank back on
tho seat, murmuring, softly:
40 for a draught OF vintage,
Coo.nd long time in the dcep-delved earthi" "
Even Fairfax could not repress a smile.
he said, quietly:
"Im sorry"
''Sorryl WIN you hear him. He says he's
sorry Why, man she's worth her millions
An only child: and purcr and more love
" being never walked the earth. She is, by
all odds, the handsomcst woman in the mar
kct to-day. acknowledge that the Princess
Is devilish handsome, but she's out Of the
question: soul from another world; to be
wOrshiped at distance; a sort OF cold,purc, |
ethereal essence, without a being. Beside |
all that, you can't get at her. She receives |
no visitors,and hasn't for the last two years. |
There's no chance thcre It's very surpris- |
ing that she ever broke her rule 10 come |
hero tonight. She's never been out, they |
say, since hor brothers death"
s'But,n continued he, turning toward his
companion, ''what's the matter with you at
Any ratei Ineycr saw a man 80 changed In
six short hours."
II think you arc mistaken, Dick, with re-
gard 10 the Lady Lydia. Sho simply
treated me as a casual acquaintance
Casual fddlesticks I'd like 10 be treat
ed one twentieth as casually, aud II wcro
not Lord Lydia within tlvclvemonth il
wouldn't be my fault, ! can assure you.
Hlmphl"
After a moment's reflection, tho irrcprcs-
sible youth continued
81 must say, my boy, mover saw you ap-
pear 30 well Mover. You looked most
disyNgue The dignity and b'ass air you saw
iit 10 assume became you deviii5h well and
made you tho most interesting masculine
there In the eyes OF moro than one senti-
mental female. Upon the whole you were
the most noticeable fellow there; and,r
added he, with astounding self-complaccney,
'when I'm around, that's saying a great
deal. / never saw such an altered individ-
ual Secretly, old fellow, ! felt proud Of
YOU. follow who could 80 cOOily receive
the advances Of such woman must necns-
sarily mako "a sensation. Every body was
asking who you were. Hang II all
wasn't going 70 toll them that you were
only q tutor. 80 gave you a status equal
70 your looks and the impression you had
created. Trust me for that. my son. And
now " tithlh Ai'tf YOU mum lcitfe 70 nOfrOW
and forego this superb chance It's TOO
much for human nature 10 endurcp
Il anu not going tomorrow" quietly rc-
piled Fnirfax.
'sWhat Good for you, old mani thought
you had more sense than TO let such
chanro slip"
''You'rc mistaken. ! haven't the least
interest there Then, observing the disap-
pointed look ON his friends face, no added,
n have oth,r Ash TO fry, and far better,
TOO"
Awhatir qucricd Dick
''That ! can't toll you, now, but ! want
your assistance and -the ilrst tlmo / have
over rcally asked for II tho loan Of consid-
Qrahlc cash.
''Yoa shall have IL, old fellow" was tho
eager reply.
'sIisisn, DlclEl Are you with me for
nchomo requiring much ncrvel Let me tell
ynu, Il is something rather vcntaresome
Yon never before have bocn and probably
aorcr hereafter, VIII be, asked 10 take part
n 81 unusual 40 advonturc.n
,Hy friend. ! npvcr knew Jon 70 under
lake thing lhnf had not something COM
about "a I'm with you, most do
'llo1|yr
An night Fairfax tooaod fcYcrlshly about
inin w. bod no scpecely slept Au'pb